Prior to embarking on this trail, we had been discussing the beauty of Lake Bensis since stumbling upon a picture of it on Facebook. As it was still an unpopular spot with almost no tagged pictures on the internet, we thought it would be a unique and wondrous experience to see its enchanting beauty with our own eyes. After carefully planning which trail to take, we set off on a journey to locate the lake.
The Rendezvous
At 6 AM, we scheduled to meet at the usual place where hikers gather - the Guadalupe Church, located in another barangay in Cebu City, before heading to the jump-off point.
We paired ourselves and rode motorcycles to the jump-off point at the chapel in Sito Napo, Sapangdaku. There, we were able to buy water or snacks at the sari-sari store near the chapel before beginning our hike.
Napo-Babag
Napo-Babag Trail is a popular hiking trail located in Sapangdaku, Cebu, Philippines. It is a challenging trail that offers a great workout and breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding landscape.
The trail is approximately 8 kilometers long and takes about 4-5 hours to complete. It starts in Sitio Napo and ends in the mountain barangay of Babag.
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The trail follows a cemented path by locals who live within the area, a small stream, and passes through thick forests, a water source, and steep hills.
It is a popular destination among hikers and adventure enthusiasts. It is recommended to hike with a guide as the trail can be challenging and sometimes confusing, especially for first-time hikers.
No matter how hard-core you are, the Napo-Babag trail will really make you want to call your mama for help and regret that you decided to hike that day, lol.
At the end of the Napo-Babag trail, there used to be a house that sold cold soft drinks, which always motivated us to keep moving forward. However, they are no longer selling drinks, which has resulted in fewer hikers on the trail.
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From this point, you have the option to take a different exit point, but we decided to continue with our initial plan.
For me, the next trail is my favorite.
Babag-Bonbon
The Babag-Bonbon trail goes down to another mountainous barangay under Cebu City. The trail going down requires a lot of knee power, as most of the time you have to use your knees to break the steep trail. The trail is approximately 4 kilometers long, and it took us almost an hour to descend.
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Our goal was to get to Lake Bensis before sundown, so we had to eat our lunch quickly at the sari-sari store in Bonbon.
From Bonbon, we hiked approximately 5 kilometers to get to Bitlang. The thought of it alone was exhausting since the trail was quite long. Bitlang is under Brgy. Sudlon 1, which is another mountainous barangay of Cebu City. We had a quick snack at the sari-sari store in Bitlang before continuing on a dusty road towards Brgy. Sinsin.
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Finally, after another 5 kilometers or so, we reached Brgy. Loay in Toledo City where the lake is located.
Lake Bensis
Lake Bensis is a man-made lake located in Toledo City, Cebu, Philippines. It was created by a mining company during its operations in the area. The lake is not a natural body of water, but rather a result of mining activities in the region.
Despite its artificial origin, Lake Bensis has become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike who appreciate its serene surroundings and clear blue-green waters. The lake is surrounded by lush greenery and offers scenic views of the mountains in the distance.
As a man-made lake, Lake Bensis is not a natural freshwater lake and does not support a complex ecosystem. However, it still provides a habitat for various species of fish, such as tilapia and carp, which are regularly caught by local fishermen.
After hiking for hours and enduring the heat and dustiness of the trail, we finally arrived at Lake Bensis. We were greeted by a serene body of water surrounded by lush greenery and rolling hills.
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To ensure the protection and preservation of the lake, the local government has implemented measures such as prohibiting the use of motorized boats and imposing restrictions on fishing activities. These measures have helped to maintain the cleanliness and beauty of the lake, making it an ideal spot for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking.
We stayed for an hour, taking in the breathtaking views and capturing the moment with numerous photos. The peacefulness of the lake was only interrupted by the occasional splashing of fish in the water and the chatter of the locals tending their floating fish pen. Their presence added to the charm of the place and made us appreciate its beauty even more. We left feeling refreshed and grateful for the opportunity to witness such a hidden gem.
We went home as the sun was starting to set and hailed a motorcycle from the lake to Talisay City, which is approximately 9 kilometers from Cebu City.
Recently, there have been developments around the lake. The next time we visited, we found trash everywhere. It's not as serene as it was before. More people are now camping and swimming. It may sound selfish to say this, but we wish we hadn't posted the lake on the internet so that we could have helped preserve its beauty. However, we know that it's just a matter of time before everyone knows of its existence and people will flock to it.
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There are some locations in the world that are best kept secret, or at least only known by a select few. This may be to protect the delicate ecosystems or prevent them from becoming overrun with tourism, litter, and man-made development, thus preserving their natural beauty and serenity.
About the Author
Meet Kevin de Arca, a Data Analyst by profession and an adventurous wanderer at heart. With a passion for exploring new places and cultures, he uses traveling as a way of distressing and making unforgettable memories. He is always wondering where to wander next.✈️ 🏖 🌅